Samsung Q80R in the UK

Cyph3r

Hey all, recently purchased the 65" Q70R, but it's gone back to Samsung for a replacement due to dead pixels. However I wanted to ask them if I could pay the difference and upgrade to the Q80R as I found out that the Q80R has twice as dimming zones (96 vs 48 on the Q70R).

Looking into this further, it now looks like only the USA Q80R has the increased dimming zones, whereas the UK Q80R still only has 48 dimming zones. Is that right?!

Model numbers for clarification:

QN65Q80R (US version with confirmed 96 zones)
QE65Q80R (UK version - but I can't find anywhere that confirms 96 zones)

Cyph3r

Right - EVEN Samsung support could not give me a definitive answer, it's not that they didn't want to tell me, he just had no idea and I was put on hold numerous times while he tried to get more information. His sense was that the UK Q80R should have more dimming zones, but he couldn't promise me. He said that my request had been sent higher up and I could expect a reply in 3 working days.

I didn't want to wait, so I went to Currys/PC World - my local store had the 65" Q70R, 65" Q80R and 65" Q85R on display. They gave me a remote and allowed me to access the service menu to check the "Dimming Zones" parameter.
65" Q70R: [Dimming Zones 4x12] (48 zones)65" Q80R: [Dimming Zones 4x12] (48 zones)65" Q85R: [Dimming Zones 8x12] (96 zones)The UK Q80R is simply the Q70R with the wide angle filter and it can go brighter.

The UK Q85R is the same as the USA Q80R except it includes the one connect box.

If you're in the UK and you're getting the Q80R based on reviews and measurements from sites like RTINGS - DO NOT, IT IS NOT THE SAME TV. You need to buy the Q85R to get the same performance as the US Q80R (which comes with needless expenditure on the one connect box).

cypher007

you my good man have just saved me ALOT of hassle cancelling an order for the Q70R i had on order and buying the Q80R expecting a better picture.

so once again not only are manufacturers giving us 1:1 dollar to pound pricing they are also skimping on the tech.

Cyph3r

Yep, it's silly that the same model number does not correspond to the same specs in each country. It's very misleading.

Saying that, my Q70R went back and I got the Q85R instead - very happy and it's a worthwhile improvement over the Q70R!

cypher007

not sure I want to spend the extra £200  it would cost me to get the Q85.

as you had the Q70R for a while what was it like?

Cyph3r

I mean it was fine, but the lack of dimming zones is a hindrance, and it's no where near as bright. The Q85R really punches in HDR.

I've also really came to like the one connect box on the Q85R!

cypher007

I wonder as im getting the 55" if it will be less of an issue as its a smaller screen.

just looked and even with the discount I get it works out £375 more expensive.

think ill wait and see what it looks like calibrated and running the latest firmware.

Smudger558

I would get 85r you will end up with the nagging doubt and what if i brought the better one feeling.l brought sony xe9405 and i wonder whether i should have brought zd9

zeroprobe

I've recently had the Q70R and Q80R, let me just say, the Anti Glare screen on the Q80R is worth it for the reflections. With the Q70R, viewing dark scenes you could also see your living room.

Just found out about this Q85R, but this would be an additional £300 from the looks of it, so I'm happy with the Q80 as an inbetween.

ThatsNoMoon

Unrelated but I've just bought a Samsung q80r QLED TV here in the UK (disappointing that it's not the same as the US model) and the motherboard is getting quite hot after playing HDR content. The HDMI ports also make a slight whining sound when on standby, is this something to be worried about? Does your q80r do this?